Eric Dunne has preformed both live and in studio as Prophetica for about ten years. Last month he put down his keyboard and monk outfit and walked away from writing music and touring. This after two full length albums, a piece of vinyl, appearances on several compilation CDs, a tribute/remix album and a still much anticipated unreleased ambient/down-tempo album. He could be considered one of the most best known Christian trance producers in our small scene. He has graciously given us one last interview.

Tastyfresh: How did you get started in music? Did you start out writing trance or was there something else?

Eric: I wrote my first song in 8 th grade (1991, I think). Since then I have written many different styles, from classical to pop to the trance I became known for. I also write ambient, down temp and have played with other styles too.

Tastyfresh: What type of equipment did you start out with?

Eric: I’ve always used the same equipment, a Roland JX-305 Groovesynth. Later on I added Acid Pro and Cool Edit Pro to my software and lastly add Reason, but my hardware has always been that faithful 305.

Tastyfresh: What was your motivation for writing music?

Eric: Selfishly, I’ve always just loved to write music and love the creation process. Specifically though, I was trying to be a light in the rave scene and actually never intended to get involved in Christian music at all. I kind of just wound up doing it. My first and foremost priority has always been to show those who don’t know Jesus that there is hope.

Tastyfresh: Who were some of your biggest influence musically?

Eric: Deepsky, Jeremy Dawson, but mainly good ol’ Rock n Roll.

Tastyfresh: Did you even try to incorporate some of their production methods into your music?

Eric: Heh. I tried.

Tastyfresh: Prophetica existed as both a studio artist and a live act. How did you make that transition from studio to stage?

Eric: I actually started playing live and then had to transition to studio musician. ICONS was a terrible feat to produce since everything was written for live performance. (Plus the fact that I only had 3 weeks to do it.) I had to reprogram every song and give it rigid constraints as opposed to the live sets where I could do whatever struck me at the moment.

Tastyfresh: Given that there are several ways to do an electronic act live, how did you do yours?

Eric: I used to do it all live. Moved to playing over preprogrammed loops but I still had to trigger everything by hand. It was the most stressful hour every time I played out. Eventually my music progressed to the point there was no way I could do it all live with my limited set-up so I began playing over MD. I actually started to have a lot more fun at that point and learned to develop a stage presence and interact with the crowd.

Tastyfresh: You performed live for several years, who were some of the artists that you performed with that really impressed you?

Eric: It was almost always the locals that impressed me. So sincere, and doing it for the love of the music. The larger acts were mostly just arrogant.

Tastyfresh: You’ve had an ambient/down-tempo album called The Redemption on the table for release for sometime now, when can we expect to see it?

Eric: Honestly, I’m not sure. I have assurances from the label that it will be released at some point and that they are very happy with the CD as a whole.

Tastyfresh: Demulcent Records just released your new album and a tribute/remix album of your work. The center piece story behind Walkaway is your retirement from dance music. Why are you retiring?

Eric: I have been doing Prophetica intensely for five years, and many things have suffered for my passion for it, including friendships, my relationship with my wife, and even my walk with God at times. I guess my priorities just changed. I want to be a better husband, a better friend and to learn to love those who don’t know Christ better.

Tastyfresh: With Walkaway, you dedicated a lot of time to writing lyrics for the tracks. Which lyrics from the album are the most meaningful to you and why?

Eric: I think the title track without a doubt. It is a love song that I wrote to the rave scene and the Christian rave “scene”. It’s a very heartfelt goodbye to something I loved to do and people I loved as well.

Tastyfresh: How was your final show at the Underground in OH?

Eric: It was great. Some of my favorite people made it out and I went out surrounded by people I love. I really couldn’t have asked for more.

Tastyfresh: Have we heard the last musically from Eric Dunne or will there be other projects?

Eric: Wouldn’t you like to know?! Ha ha. Seriously though, I don’t know. I’m still writing but I don’t know if I could do it professionally again. I don’t have the drive and focus anymore. I know that I am doing what I need to be doing.

Tastyfresh: Four quick questions and answers:

1. If you could do it all over again, would you? Hell yeah.
2. What was your best show? Cornerstone 2002
3. What happened to that Monk outfit you wore on stage during Cornerstone 2002? I still have it and wear it at Halloween sometimes to pass out candy to kids. I almost wore it at my last show.
4. You’ve just retired from music, what are you going to do next? Take a nap. Seriously.

Related Links:

• Demulcent Records
• Demulcent on Beatport.com